live Russian strikes kill at least 1 in northeast Ukraine
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
The Board of Peace is entering uncharted territory, with questions over its ability to manage Gaza reconstruction, its potential to rival the United Nations, and its impact on strategic allies in the Middle East and South Caucasus.
Speaking to AnewZ live from Washington, from right at the heart of where the Board of Peace is set to take place, Orkhan Amashov, political analyst and Deputy Editor in Chief at AnewZ TV, said the new Board faces two critical sets of questions: its ability to oversee Gaza reconstruction and governance, and its potential to evolve into a wider international institution.
“The number one issue is to what extent this body will be successful in the context of Gaza reconstruction and governance during the post-Hamas stage,” Amashov said.
He highlighted that the Board’s immediate agenda includes a billion-dollar pledge for Gaza reconstruction, with announcements on allocation expected soon.
It also involves the deployment of an international peacekeeping force, authorised under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, known as the International Stabilisation Force.
“The success of these initiatives will be a key test of the Board’s ability to manage humanitarian, security, and governance challenges in the Strip,” he added.
He also said the second set of issues concerns the Board’s long-term scope.
“The question is whether this institution will deal specifically with Gaza or evolve into something bigger, potentially an alternative to the UN Security Council,” Amashov explained.
The initiative was originally conceived in September, and was endorsed by a United States Security Council resolution addressing two key matters: Gaza reconstruction and the International Stabilisation Force.
“The fundamental question is the extent to which this body may replace the UN, as the fund it manages could assume some responsibilities of UN agencies,” he said.
He also questions whether “this institution will deal specifically with Gaza or evolve into something bigger, potentially an alternative to the UN Security Council.”
On European participation, Orkhan Amashov observed that several countries, including the United Kingdom, the Vatican, Germany and France, have declined membership.
“This raises questions about the Board’s legitimacy and influence. The UN system has been in decline for some time, and this initiative reflects U.S. frustration with repeated failures in multilateral diplomacy,” he said.
In the Caucasus region, Azerbaijan and Armenia have gained a strategic role under the new framework.
“Azerbaijan’s participation is inextricably connected with the Azerbaijan-Armenian peace process,” Amashov said.
“Had it not been for the August breakthrough in Washington, where the countries signed a joint declaration, neither would be part of this scheme,” he noted.
He added that Azerbaijani-U.S. relations have been strengthened with the signing of a strategic charter.
“If implemented boldly and quickly, Azerbaijan will be a key player. While the crisis of the UN will deepen, creating further transatlantic tension, it simultaneously provides more leverage to countries like Azerbaijan in the current geopolitical context,” Amashov said.
Amashov also noted that the U.S. is treating European partners with caution, reflecting frustration with the United Nations.
“The crisis of the UN will deepen, increasing the rupture in transatlantic relations. At the same time, it opens opportunities for strategic allies in the region, including Azerbaijan,” he said.
He highlighted Azerbaijan’s diplomacy as adept, balancing relations with central political institutions and the Commonwealth.
“If the Board’s initiatives are implemented effectively, Azerbaijan will emerge as a significant regional player, even as traditional European allies see their influence limited,” Amashov added.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) took first place in state elections in northeastern Germany on Sunday, voting projections showed, delivering the worst result for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's mainstream conservative party since 1949.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council told a hearing in Baghdad on Sunday.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
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